chapter four

"The closer you get to the light, the darker the shadows become."

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Zi Xuan walked into the office and froze. Zhang Wei was already there, sitting back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. His expression was blank-empty-but those dead eyes carried a beauty that was almost haunting. Zi Xuan stood silently, not daring to break the moment.

Without looking, Zhang Wei spoke.

"Don't just stand there. Say what you came to say. Did you find anything?"

Zi Xuan flinched, snapping out of his daze. "Y-Yes, leader. I got the information. The gang... they're planning to kidnap a child. A little girl. Today. At 5 p.m., in **** Park."

Zhang Wei finally shifted his gaze, cold and sharp. He nodded once.

"Good work. What time is it now?"

Zi Xuan checked his watch. "It's 4:50 p.m., leader."

Zhang Wei raised his brows, a hint of mockery in his tone.

"Then what the hell are you still standing here for?"

He stood up smoothly, grabbing his coat. "Follow me."

Zi Xuan rushed behind him.

They arrived at the park just minutes before five, positioning themselves in the shadows, leaning against the car. The evening was calm, children laughing and playing-among them, the little girl, unaware of the danger circling closer.

Zhang Wei watched quietly, his posture relaxed, his cold eyes fixed on her.

Zi Xuan stole a glance at him, then whispered, "Leader... your eyes are beautiful. How can I make mine like that? Those dead eyes... they look so cool." His tone was almost childlike, full of excitement.

Zhang Wei actually blinked, caught off guard by the question. He inhaled slowly, then let out a tired sigh. "Do you even know how I got them?"

Zi Xuan tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "You were born with it?"

For a moment, Zhang Wei looked like he might throw himself off the nearest rooftop. Instead, he just exhaled again, his expression unreadable. "...See. The Serpents are here."

Zi Xuan immediately snapped to attention, his playful energy vanishing. He saw the little girl's friends running off, leaving her alone. From the shadows, the Serpent gang appeared-circling, waiting, like predators moving in for the kill.

The girl was still laughing, clutching her small pink balloon, when the gang closed in like wolves circling prey.

Zhang Wei didn't move. His gaze stayed fixed on them, cold and calculating, his hands buried casually in his pockets.

Zi Xuan's voice trembled. "Leader... should we go now?"

"No." Zhang Wei's tone was flat, sharp as ice. "Too soon and they'll scatter. Let them make their move."

Zi Xuan swallowed hard, gripping the taser hidden in his pocket, sweat running down his temple. How the hell is he so calm?

A Serpent finally reached out, fingers inches from the girl's wrist-

"Now," Zhang Wei said.

Zi Xuan launched forward, kicking the man square in the chest before he could blink. Chaos erupted. Fists flew, bodies slammed, curses filled the air.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei walked straight to the girl, crouching slightly so his voice matched her height. "Go home," he said softly, eyes still on the fight. "Your mom's probably waiting."

The little girl, wide-eyed, nodded quickly and ran off clutching her balloon.

Zhang Wei straightened, sliding his hands back into his pockets. His eyes lingered on Zi Xuan, who was already cracking bones like it was his hobby.

"Leader!" Zi Xuan shouted between punches. "They just keep coming- we're outnumbered!"

For the first time, Zhang Wei chuckled under his breath. His lips barely curved, but it was there.

"Outnumbered?" His voice was quiet, almost amused. "They should be worried."

He gave a short, sharp whistle.

From the shadows, Zhao Ming dropped in like a demon with a grin sharp enough to cut glass. "Miss me?" he smirked, immediately swinging his fist into the nearest Serpent's jaw.

Zi Xuan smirked back. They clapped their hands together once, like teammates on a playground, then dove into the fight with twice the energy.

Zhang Wei leaned against the car, watching the chaos like it was his personal entertainment. Every now and then, his lips twitched-was that amusement, or boredom? Hard to tell.

By the end, half the Serpents were on the ground, restrained and groaning. The other half had run like rats into the dark.

Zhang Wei finally stepped forward, his shadow falling over the captured men. His voice was calm, almost too calm, as he said-

"Now. Let's have a little chat. Don't worry... I won't hurt you."

He smiled faintly, but his dead eyes burned straight through them.

"By the time I'm done asking questions, you'll be begging me to shut up."

The Serpents swallowed, already regretting every life decision that led them here.

To be continued "待續"

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